Evaluation of Rainfall and Temperature Variability on Solid Waste Management in Bungoma County Urban Centres,

Abstract

Globally, temperature and rainfall play an integral role in the management of solid waste in urban areas. This is because many countries especially the developing countries conventionally rely on both climate variables in management of the waste. However, urban environment faces many threats due to challenged waste management practices resulting from these climate stressors. This research aimed at assessing the impacts of changing rainfall and temperature patterns on solid waste management in order to come up with strategies for effective management of urban waste. The study was conducted in Bungoma county urban centers, specifically Bungoma town, Webuye, Kimilili, Kapsokwony, Chwele and Sirisia townships. Specifically, the study sought to: assess temporal and spatial variation of solid waste generation, and composition in Bungoma county urban centres; determine temporal and spatial variability of temperature and rainfall on solid waste generation and composition and investigate strategies for solid waste management in Bungoma County urban Centres. The study applied stratified sampling technique to select the urban and peri urban centers while random sampling was used to select respondents in residential dwellings, business people, urban residents, officers from government institutions including, NEMA, Public Health and Environment, water Natural Resources &Climate Change were interviewed. Ancillary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules while historical data was obtained to validate observed data. Data was analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), V28 and summarized using tables, charts and graphs. Findings revealed that residences and homes where people live were the main sources of solid waste. Residential waste formed the highest percentage, followed by commercial waste, municipal waste, industrial, construction and then agriculture. Waste generation in Bungoma urban centres increased from 11,267 tons in 2010 to 90,136 tons in 2022 due to a corresponding increase in population. Findings futher revealed that food and plastic waste were the main components of solid waste in Bungoma urban centers. Rainfall and temperature were seen to influence waste generateion and composition. There was a moderate positive relationship between rainfall and waste generated. A 21.8% of the variations in the amount of rainfall can be explained by waste generated (R² = 0.2184). This implies that, an increase in waste generated is a result of an increase in amount of rainfall. There is a moderate positive relationship between the waste generated and the level of temperature. 14.1% of the variations in the level of temperature can be explained by waste generated (R² = 0.1407). Further, the findings showed that during the wet and hot season, there was high composting rates leading to an increase in degradable waste while agriculture waste increased during the wet season due to surplus of agricultural products. Respondents in the study area strongly agreed on investment in resilient infrastructure for mitigating rainfall and temperature effect on waste management, re-use, energy recovery and recycling. The county is served by only one dumpsite (Muanda/Siritanyi) and therefore not sufficient to manage urban solid waste. There is need for the county government of Bungoma to have more dumpsites to manage waste and embrace all managent strategies in place under the leadership of the ministry of Environment and NEMA.The study results will be significant to decision makers such as urban planners, policymakers, and local residents when planning on waste management in the context of changing climate.